Hatching ringneck pheasant eggs requires careful planning, preparation, and execution. Pheasant eggs need consistent warmth, humidity, and turning in order to hatch successfully. With the right incubator, materials, and process, you can hatch a clutch of pheasant chicks.
What You’ll Need
Here is a list of the supplies you’ll need to hatch ringneck pheasant eggs:
- Incubator – A still-air incubator with an automatic turner or a cabinet-style incubator with humidity control.
- Pheasant eggs – Fertile pheasant eggs, preferably from a reputable source.
- Incubator thermometer – To monitor the temperature.
- Hygrometer – To measure humidity levels.
- Egg turner – Some incubators have automatic turners.
- Incubator disinfectant – To clean the incubator between hatches.
- Distilled water – To fill the incubator’s water channels/reservoir.
- Hatching tray – Where the eggs can hatch safely.
- Brooder – To raise the pheasant chicks after hatching.
How to Incubate Pheasant Eggs
Follow these steps for incubating pheasant eggs successfully:
- Choose an incubator: Select a quality incubator of an appropriate size for the number of eggs you want to hatch. Still-air and cabinet-style incubators both work well.
- Calibrate the incubator: Run the incubator for 24 hours before setting eggs to ensure it reaches and maintains the proper temperature and humidity.
- Set the temperature: Pheasant eggs hatch best at 99.5°F. Adjust the incubator thermostat to this temperature.
- Monitor temperature and humidity: Use a thermometer and hygrometer to monitor levels and make adjustments as needed.
- Disinfect the incubator: Thoroughly clean and disinfect the incubator, following manufacturer instructions.
- Fill water reservoirs: Fill any water reservoirs/channels in the incubator with distilled water.
- Set the automatic turner (if available): Turning prevents embryos from sticking to the shell. Turn eggs at least 3 times per day.
- Place eggs in the incubator: Gently set the eggs pointy-end down in the tray. Don’t move them after Day 18.
- Monitor hatching: Do not open the incubator once eggs start piping/hatching. Monitor from outside.
- Assist hatchlings if needed: Only help weak hatchlings emerge if they are 12+ hours behind their siblings.
- Move chicks to brooder: Carefully transfer hatched chicks to a prepared brooder with food and water.
How Long Does Incubation Take?
The total incubation period for pheasant eggs is 23-27 days. Here is a breakdown of what happens each week:
| Incubation Week | Developments |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | The embryos develop and the eggs are warmed and turned. |
| Week 2 | Feather tracts form and the chicks grow inside the eggs. |
| Week 3 | The chicks get ready to hatch by orienting themselves and piping the shells. |
| Week 4 | The fully developed chicks hatch out of their shells. |
It’s important not to rush the hatching process. Allow the chicks to emerge naturally when they are ready.
How to Care for Hatching Eggs
Proper care of the eggs is crucial for a successful hatch. Here are some tips:
- Handle eggs gently and limit movement.
- Store eggs pointy-end down before incubating.
- Discard any cracked, misshaped, or dirty eggs.
- Only wash eggs if visibly soiled using warm water.
- Maintain consistent temperature of 65-75°F before incubating.
- Don’t incubate eggs over 10-14 days old.
- Mark eggs with pencil “X” on one side and “O” on the other to track turning.
- Turn eggs at least 3 times daily during first 18 days.
- Increase humidity to 60% in last 3 days of incubation.
- Resist opening the incubator during the hatching phase.
Tips for Storing Pheasant Eggs Before Incubating
Here are some best practices for storing pheasant eggs before incubation:
- Store eggs pointy-end down in egg cartons at a 45° angle.
- Keep eggs in a cool place between 65-75°F.
- Maintain relatively high humidity around 60-70% RH.
- Turn the eggs once per day before incubating.
- Discard any eggs over 10-14 days old.
- Minimize temperature fluctuations during storage.
What Happens Each Day of Incubation?
Pheasant embryos undergo an amazing development during incubation. Here’s what happens each incubation day:
| Incubation Day | Developments |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fertilization occurs as the embryo starts developing. |
| Day 2 | The neural tube forms along the embryo’s back. |
| Day 3 | The heart and head begin developing. |
| Day 4 | Limb buds emerge and the heart starts beating. |
| Day 5 | Beaks and egg tooth form as bones start hardening. |
| Day 6 | Feathers and claws begin to form as the skeleton ossifies. |
| Day 7 | Muscles develop and the wings and legs grow longer. |
| Days 8-10 | Feather tracts develop as yolk sac shrinks. |
| Days 11-17 | Feathers grow as the embryo gets into hatching position. |
| Day 18 | Yolk sac pulled into body in preparation for hatching. |
| Days 19-21 | Embryo gets ready to hatch by piping a hole in the egg. |
| Days 22-27 | Chick hatches out fully from its shell. |
Setting Up the Incubator
Proper incubator setup is vital for hatching success. Here are some tips:
Location Tips
- Set up the incubator in a room free from drafts and direct sunlight.
- Ensure the electrical outlet will not be interrupted.
- Choose a location protected from children and pets.
- Allow sufficient space around the incubator for airflow.
Temperature Tips
- Maintain a steady 99.5°F temperature inside the incubator.
- Calibrate the thermostat to adjust the temperature.
- Use a thermometer to monitor temperature.
- Add or reduce insulation to stabilize temperatures.
- Only adjust temperature by 1-2 degrees at a time.
Humidity Tips
- Ideal humidity is around 55% for most of incubation.
- Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels.
- Increase humidity to 65% in the last 3 days of incubation.
- Add or reduce water in reservoirs to adjust humidity.
Ventilation Tips
- Ensure vents are not obstructed by anything.
- Open vents further in high humidity environments.
- Close vents slightly in dry environments.
- Consult manufacturer guidelines for vent adjustments.
Turning Tips
- Turn eggs at least 3 times per day until day 18.
- Mark eggs with pencil for turning schedule.
- Gently turn eggs completely over each time.
- Stop turning eggs in the last 3 days before hatching.
What to Look for When Candling Eggs
Candling pheasant eggs about a week into incubation can provide valuable insight. Here’s what to look for:
- Dark chamber: Indicates embryo is developing.
- Spider veins: Blood vessels spreading through the egg.
- Air cell: Should be small and oval-shaped.
- Clear/cloudy: Clear is good, cloudy may indicate bacteria.
- Cracks: Should discard cracked eggs.
- Shape: Irregular shapes may impact embryo growth.
- Color: Look for a bullseye pattern in a healthy egg.
- Movement: Twitching indicates the embryo’s heartbeat.
Candling offers valuable information without disturbing development. Mark any infertile eggs and discard after candling.
Incubation Problems and Solutions
Even with excellent care, issues can sometimes arise. Here are some common incubation problems and ways to address them:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Low hatch rates | Review incubation procedures, check fertility rates, improve sanitation |
| Embryo deaths | Ensure proper temperature, humidity, ventilation, egg turning |
| Hatching issues | Increase humidity, don’t assist too early, review hatching setup |
| Temperature fluctuations | Adjust vents, use better insulation, service the thermostat |
| Humidity too high/low | Adjust ventilation, fill/empty water reservoirs |
| Eggs not turning | Manually turn more frequently, have turner serviced |
| Bacterial contamination | Improve sanitation, fumigate incubator, replace water |
Pay close attention and make adjustments promptly to get hatching back on track.
Setting Up the Brooder
Chicks need a properly prepared brooder for warmth, food, water, and protection after hatching. Here are some brooder setup tips:
- Line the brooder floor with 2-3 inches of soft bedding like pine shavings.
- Use a brooder lamp to maintain 95°F temperature for the first week.
- Reduce temperature by 5°F each week until fully feathered.
- Provide chick starter feed and clean water close to heat source.
- Use chick founts and feeders to limit waste and contamination.
- Check food and water supplies multiple times per day.
- Equip brooder with proper ventilation for fresh air.
- Monitor chicks closely and remove any deceased/sick ones.
With attentive brooder management, the hatchlings can grow into healthy juvenile pheasants.
Conclusion
Hatching ringneck pheasant eggs requires dedicated effort and exacting conditions. But the reward of fluffy chicks peeping in the incubator makes it all worthwhile. With careful preparation, incubation attentiveness, and proper brooding, you can hatch a healthy clutch to raise into gamebirds or simply enjoy watching grow.
